Resonating moments: Exploring socio-material connectivity through artistic encounters with people living with dementia.

Lilli Mittner

doi:10.1177/14713012211039816

Abstract

In this article, I introduce insights from new material feminist theories into the understanding of connectivity on the basis of an aesthetic analysis of artistic encounters with people living with dementia. I draw on data from a situated art intervention conducted within the Resonance Project at a residential care home in Northern Norway where researchers, artists, health-care professionals, people living with dementia and family members came together in co-creative music sessions. I analyse two resonating moments from the sessions by way of an abductive process, oscillating between theory, written notes, video recordings and my own embodied experiences in the field. I discuss the ways in which materiality, listening and the group matter when it comes to our ability to connect during the sessions. Based on these findings, I conclude that the notion of socio-material connectivity provides an entrance point for studying different ways of relating to people living with dementia and enquiring into relations that matter.

Highlights

The arts are increasingly receiving attention from researchers, artists and policy-makers alike as regards improving health and well-being (Fancourt & Finn, 2019)
Health-care staff, people living with dementia and their of kin all call for recognition of the need to connect
I conclude that the notion of socio-material connectivity provides an entrance point for studying different ways of relating to each other and enquiring into the relations that matter

Summary

Introduction

The arts are increasingly receiving attention from researchers, artists and policy-makers alike as regards improving health and well-being (Fancourt & Finn, 2019). A growing body of arts-based research in dementia studies has elaborated on how to meaningfully connect through creative expressions such as music, theatre or fine arts (e.g. Boydell et al (2016); Kontos et al (2017); Zeilig et al (2019)). Most of the research ‘fails to capture the quality of engagement; it provides the “who” and “what” but not the “what does it mean?”’ Health-care staff, people living with dementia and their of kin all call for recognition of the need to connect. Health-care professionals report on their need to connect in order to provide care in respect of ‘the most basic physical tasks such as eating, toileting, bathing, and walking’ (Kontos & Martin, 2013; see Armstrong and Armstrong (2003) and Adams and Gardiner (2005). The human ‘quest for resonant relationships’ (Rosa, 2019) finds broad agreement across academic disciplines (Baumeister & Leary, 1995; Bresler, 2006; Cornwell & Waite, 2009), Joanna Latimer has signalled caution in respect of the discourse according to which everyone ‘needs and wants connection’ (Latimer, 2018, p. 839)

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